Information-processing appliance for use with a striplike information carrier contained in a cartridge

ABSTRACT

The information carrier is wound on a reel which is contained in a cartridge of either of first and second types. Each of the cartridges has locating and fixing surfaces specific to the type of cartridge. The reel in the cartridges of said first type has a flange. The reel in the cartridges of the second type has a central bore. The cartridges of the second type have a wall formed with an aperture aligned with said bore. The information carrier on said reel has a leading end. The appliance comprises first locating and fixing means adapted to engage said locating and fixing surfaces of any cartridge of said first type so as to hold said cartridge of said first type in an operative position on said appliance, second locating and fixing means adapted to engage said locating and fixing surfaces of any cartridge of said second type so as to hold said cartridge of said second type in an operative position on said appliance, threading means operable to mechanically move said leading end of said information carrier in a cartridge of either of said first and second types when said cartridge is held in said operative position, first reel-driving means adapted to cooperate with said flange and operable to drive said reel in a cartridge of said first type when said cartridge is in said operative position, and second reel-driving means comprising a mandrel adapted to extend through said aperture into engagement with said bore of a reel of a cartridge of said second type when said cartridge is in said operative position. The second reel-driving means are operable to drive said reel in said cartridge of said second type.

United States Patent Vockenhuber et al.

[54] INFORMATION-PROCESSING APPLIANCE FOR USE WITH A STRIPLIKEINFORMATION CARRIER CONTAINED IN A CARTRIDGE [72] Inventors: KarlVockenhuber, Vienna; Gottfried Pammer, Sudstadt Lower; Erwin Krob,Vienna; Friedrich Forch, Vienna; Peter Revy-Belvard, Vienna; AlfonsValoh, Vienna, all of Austria 73 Assignee: said Vockenhuber, by saidPammer, said Krob, said Foreh, said Revy-Belvard and 3,468,498 9/1969Bunting ..242/207 [451 Apr. 18, 1972 3,531,192 9/1970 Etter ..352/72Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian Attorney-Emest G. Montague [5 7]ABSTRACT The information carrier is wound on a reel which is containedfixing surfaces of any cartridge of said first type so as to hold saidcartridge of said first type in an operative position on said appliance,second locating and fixing means adapted to engage said locating andfixing surfaces of any cartridge of said second type so as to hold saidcartridge of said second type in an operative position on saidappliance, threading means operable to mechanically move said leadingend of said information carrier in a cartridge of either of said firstand second types when said cartridge is held in said operative position,first reel-driving means adapted to cooperate with said flange andoperable to drive said reel in a cartridge of said first type when saidcartridge is in said operative position, and second reel-driving meanscomprising a mandrel adapted to extend through said aperture intoengagement with said bore of a reel of a cartridge of said second typewhen said cartridge is in said operative position. The secondreel-driving means are operable to drive said reel in said cartridge ofsaid second type.

91 Claims, 34 Drawing F lgures PATENTE APR 18 I972 SHEET 010? 1?PATENTEDAPR 18 m2 3, 656, 703

- saw 02 {1F :i'

SHEET D35]? 37 PATENTED APR 18 1912 FIG.

FIG/2 PATENTEDAPH 18 1912 SHEU CBIIF 1'? FIG. [5

PATEMTEUAPR 18 M2 3,656, "/03 2mm 09 8F 1 PATENTEBAPR 18 m2 3, 656. 703

' SHEET 10 0F 1* PATENTEBAPR 18 I372 SHEET 1 2 {1? PATENTEBAPRIBIBYE3,656,703 2am 13a? '1'? PIC-3.25

PATENTEDAPR 18 I972 SHEET 1U UF 1? FIG. 29

FIG. 28

PATENTEDAPR 18 I972 inromnon-rnocassmc APPLIANCE FOR use WITIIASTRIPLIKE INFORMATION CARRIER CONTAINED IN A CARTRIDGE ,7 Various typesof cartridges have already been proposed for use with motion-pictureprojectors for substandard film. The cartridges of each of thesetypesdiffer in capacity and are intended to receive film wound'on supplyreels. The cartridges choose one of these types of cartridges. For auser of a projector, this means'that' he can use only cartridges of thattype for which the projector is designed. Hence, a user of a projectoreither cannot project films, e.g., rented films, which are supplied incartridges for which his projector is not designed, or he must procureanother projector designed for use with cartridges of a second type.This is a serious disadvantage for the users of substandard filmprojectors. For a manufacturer, this means that-the numbers in which agiven projector is sold will be smaller than they would be if there wereonly cartridges of a single type. The reduction-of the numbers in whicha given projector is sold increases the cost thereof. The same remarksare applicable to appliances which may be alternatively used .to recordon or reproduce from magnetic tape. Numerous types of cartridges havealready been proposed for such magnetic tape-handling appliances. It isan object of the invention to eliminate these disadvantages and toprovide an appliance in which cartridges of different types can be used.

The invention relates to an appliance for recording and/or reproducinginformation, particularly a motion picture projector for substandardfilm, which appliance is adapted to be loaded with cartridgeswhichcontain a striplike record carrier on a supply reel, and whichappliance is provided with locating and/or fixing. means which cooperatewith corresponding surfaces of 'the cartridge and serve to hold thecartridge in a predetermined position on the appliance, and withthreading devices for mechanically removingthe leading end of the stripfrom the roll on the supplyreel, also with drive means for driving thesupply reel, and resides-essentially in that the appliance comprises atleast one additional locating and/or fixing means for locating and/orfixing cartridges of a different type, which havelocatingand/or fixingsurfaces differing from those of the first-mentioned cartridge,additional drive means for driving the supply reel are provided, one ofthe drive means cooperates in known manner with a flange of the supplyreel whereas the other drive means comprise a mandrel, which is adaptedto be introduced in known manner through an opening in the cartridgewall into a central bore of the supply reel, and preferably thestriplike record carriers which have been moved through exit openingsout of a cartridge of any of the different types are adapted to beguided to common guiding means and recording and/or reproducing means.Within the scope of the invention, the arrangement may be such that themeans which are associated with cartridges of the different types, atleast the fixing means, are mounted on respective attachments for theappliance, one of which attachments is detachably connected to a basestructure which comprises at least part of the transmission.

In such an arrangement, the requirements of the user can easily be metin that the attachment desired by the buyer is mounted on the basestructure of the appliance. Hence, the base structure may be made inlarge numbers so that the cost of the appliance is reduced. If the buyerof an appliance intends to use cartridges of different types, he need nolonger procure two different appliances but it will be sufficient forhim-to have different attachments for use with a single basestructure'Alternatively, the appliance may be integral and be designedso that cartridges of different types may be fixed to the appliance inone and the same area and the drive means for use with cartridges of agiven type are adapted to be removed when a cartridge of another type isto be used.

With that arrangement, the cartridge may be relatively small. Adifficulty may arise because the threading device is not always alignedwith the exit opening of the cartridge or the center of the reel in thecartridge where cartridges of difierent type are used. Thesedifiiculties may be eliminated within the scope of the invention in thatthe fixing means are so arranged that. the centers of the reels havingdifferent capacities are substantially disposed on one and the same lineregardless of the type of cartridge which is used. In this connection,the centers of the reels need not actually be disposed on one line,provided that they are substantially disposed thereon. Theabovementioned difficulty may alternatively be avoided in that theappliance is provided with sensing meansfor detecting the type ofcartridge fixed to the appliance. in a development of the invention, thesensing means may control a displaceable carriage, on which thethreading device is mounted and which is arranged to-be controlled inresponse to the type of cartridge detected by the sensing means so thatthe threading means is always aligned with the exit opening of thecartridge.

in another arrangement used to accomplish that object, the pivot of thelever is adjustable to at least two positions, one of which representsan optimum for cartridges of a first type and the other an optimum forcartridges of a second type.

The means for locating cartridges of different types will generally haveto be different. These locating means may comprise apertures orprojections, which are provided on the cartridge and which cooperatewith complementary elements provided on the appliance. Becausecartridges of different types have substantially the same maindimensions, the locating means are provided on the appliance generallyin the same area and a cartridge of a given type to be mounted on theappliance may interfere with the means for locating cartridges of thesecond type. To eliminate these difiiculties, it is a feature of theinvention that the means for locating cartridges of a first type arerigid in the direction in which cartridges of said type are applied tothe appliance and are movable in the direction in which cartridges ofthe second type are applied to the appliance.

Within the scope of the invention, the appliance may be designed to havecartridges of different type mounted thereon in different areas and beprovided in each of said areas with fixing means and drive means forcartridges of the associated type. This arrangement will eliminate thedifficulties which are due to the provision of different drive means ina single area. ln such an appliance, different recording and/orreproducing means may be associated with different areas for fixingcartridges. Preferably, however, a motion picture projector according tothe invention is provided with means for guiding the film to a commonlens from the different areas. In an appliance for handling magnetictape, the guide means mayguide the magnetic tape from the differentareas to common recording and reproducing means.

Appliances having means for threading the strip may be provided with athreading device in each area which is associated with cartridges of agiven type. This feature will contribute to a clear and relativelysimple structure of the appliance. Alternatively, the threading meansmay be common to cartridges of different types and may be movable topositions adjacent to cartridges fixed in different areas. In this case,a single threading device may be used for cartridges of all types,provided that this single threading device is designed for use withcartridges of all types which are contemplated.

To enable an adaptation to openings of different size provided toreceive the threading device, it is a feature of the invention toprovide for a removal of the leading end of the film from the roll adevice which comprises movable film-guiding elements, which are movableinto the cartridge and which close free openings which exist between thecartridge wall and the threading device which has been moved into thecartridge.

Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description of embodiments shown by way of example inthe drawing, in which FIG. 1 is of a motion picture projector accordingto the invention for substandard film.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a detail of a modified projector.

FIG. 3 is a view which illustrates the operation of a feeling deviceFIGS. 4 and-5 illustrate a modification of FIG. 2, FIG 5 being anelevation viewed from line V-V of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view which illustrates another embodiment comprising anaxially movable reel mandrel.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment, FIG. 8 being a circuitdiagram of the embodiment of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view which shows an embodiment of the invention in whichcartridges of different types are fixed to the appliances in differentareas, which are disposed one behind the other.

FIG. 10 is a view which illustrates a design in which cartridges ofdifferent types are secured to different areas disposed one beside theother.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view showing the design of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a special embodiment of a threading device in a view which issimilar to that of FIG. 11.

FIGS. 13-15 show different means for controlling a threading device.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show means for locking two mode control switches, whichare provided for two fixing areas.

FIG. 18 is a view which shows a similar design provided with electricalmeans.

FIG. 19 is a view which shows a mode control switch which is suitablefor use with different cartridge-fixing areas.

FIG. 20 is a view which shows another design in which a part whichcarries the fixing means can be connected to the projector.

FIG. 21 is a view which shows a motion picture projector according tothe invention for substandard film, which projector is provided with anattachment for use with cartridges of one type.

FIG. 22 is an elevation showing part of the projector provided with adifferent attachment.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the top of the base structure ofan appliance according to the invention.

FIG. 24 and 25 show different embodiments according to the invention.

FIGS. 26 and 27 are coordinated views showing a cartridgemounting deviceof a motion picture projector for substandard 8-mm. film and a cartridgeof a first type (Type A).

FIGS. 28, 29 are similar views for cartridges of a second type (Type B).

FIG. 30 is a view which shows another embodiment with a Type Acartridge.

FIG. 31 is a view which shows the same embodiment with a Type Bcartridge.

FIG. 32 is a view which shows a motion picture projector for substandardfilm provided with a cartridge selector switch.

FIGS. 33 and 34 show details of said embodiment viewed in the directionsindicated by arrows XXXIII and XXXIV, respectively, in FIG. 32.

Cartridges 2, 3 of different type can be fixed to a motion pictureprojector l for substandard film. A threading device 4 is movable intothe exit opening of cartridge 2 or cartridge 3. The cartridges 2, 3differ not only in external configuration. Cartridge 2 is provided inone end wall with an opening, not shown, through which a friction wheel5 may be entered, which is mounted on a lever 6 that is pivoted on apivot 7. The friction wheel 5 is adapted to be driven by means which arenot shown and serves to drive the supply reel in the cartridge 2. Forthis purpose, the friction wheel engages an end flange of said reel.

The cartridges 3 are not provided with such opening in an end wall butadjacent to the center 8 of the supply reel in such cartridge have anaperture through which a reel mandrel can extend, which is mounted onthe projector l. The center 10 of the reel in the cartridge 2 is notadjacent to the reel mandrel 9 and the cartridge 2 has no aperture forreceiving the reel mandrel 9. It will be understood that for the use ofcartridges 2 the reel mandrel 9 must be removed from the area of thecartridge whereas the friction wheel 5 must be swung out wherecartridges 3 are to be used. These remarks will also be applicable iffilm reels not accommodated in cartridges are to be used instead of thecartridges 3. It will be understood that the illustrated projector 1 maybe used with cartridges 2, 3 as well as with reels which are notaccommodated in cartridges.

FIG. 2 illustrates an arrangement for a mutual control of the respectivedrive means. The reel mandrel 9 is mounted on a reel-carrying arm 11,which is pivoted on a pivot 12, to which a cam 13 is fixed. The cam 13is operatively connected by a tension spring 14 to a push rod 15, whichis guided by a pinslot arrangement. The push rod 15 is provided at itsend with a stop 16. In dependence on the position of the push rod 115,the stop 16 is in register with a complementary stop 17 carried by thepivoted arm 6 for the friction wheel 5 or releases said stop 17. Acompression spring 18 urges the pivoted arm 6 against a pin 20, whichextends through a slot 19 of the pivoted arm 6. The pin 20 is secured toan actuating rod 21, by which the pivoted arm 6 can be released andmoved to its operative position.

In the position shown, the reel-carrying arm 11 is in position of restand the push rod 15 is in its right-hand position, in which the stops16, 17 are out of register so that the friction wheel 5 can be swunginto a cartridge 2a.

If a cartridge 3 or 30 is secured to the appliance, the reel mandrel 9is required to drive the supply reel in such cartridge. In this case,the reel-carrying arm 11 is swung in the counterclockwise sense and thecartridge 3 or 3a is mounted on the reel mandrel 9. During a pivotalmovement of the reelcarrying arm 11, the cam 13 displaces the push rod115 to the left so that the stop 16 is in register with the stop 17 andthe friction wheel 5 cannot be pivotally moved even when it has beenreleased by the actuating rod 21.

FIG. 2 shows also the centers 8, 8a and 8b of cartridges which differ insize and are of a type which is similar to cartridges 3 and 3a. Thecenters 8, 8a, 8b are disposed on a sector 22 of a circle, which has aradius which is equal to the distance between the centers of the pivot12 and the reel mandrel 9. The centers 10, 10a, 10b, and of reelsaccommodated in cartridges which are similar to cartridges 2, 2a lie ona straight line 23. The sector 22 and the line 23 are selected so thatthe centers of the reels differing in capacity lie virtually on a singleline for cartridges of each of the types which are used and are onlyslightly spaced from said line. This arrangement will ensure that thethreading device 4 is always in register with the exit opening of thecartridge regardless of the type and size thereof.

FIG. 3 shows different means for disabling the friction wheel 5. Asensor 25 detects apertures 24 of the cartridges 3. The sensor 25comprises a sensing pin 26, which is disposed adjacent to the apertures24 and secured to an arm 28, which is pivoted on a pin 27 and constantlybiased by a spring. The

arm 28 carries a locking pin 30, which in the inoperative posi-v tion ofthe arm 28 extends into the path of the pivoted arm 6 for the frictionwheel 5.

If a cartridge 2 which has no aperture 24 is secured to the appliance,the cartridge 2 will depress the sensing pin 26 to move the locking pin30 out of the path of the pivoted arm 6 so that the latter can be swungin by means of the actuating rod 21. As a cartridge 3 rather than acartridge 2 is applied to the appliance, the sensing pin 26 will enteraperture 24 and the locking pin 30 will remain in the path of thepivoted arm 6 to lock the same. It will then be impossible to impart apivotal movement to the arm 6 even by an erroneous operation of theactuating rod 21.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the centers 8, 8a, 8b or 10 to 100are disposed substantially on a single line to ensure that the threadingdevice 4 is always in register with the exit opening of the cartridgewhich is used. A different arrangement for the same purpose is shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. Cartridges 2, 2a and 3, 3a are secured to the projectorin such a position that the lower right comer of each cartridge isdisposed at the same point. As a result, the centers of the exitopenings disposed on the underside of the cartridge will be in-

1. An information-processing appliance for use with a striplikeinformation carrier wound on a reel which is contained in a cartridge ofeither of first and second types, each of said cartridges havinglocating and fixing surfaces specific to the type of cartridge, saidreel in the cartridges of said first type having a flange, said reel inthe cartridges of said second type having a central bore, saidcartridges of said second type having a wall formed with an aperturealigned with said bore, said information carrier on said reel having aleading end, said appliance comprising first locating and fixing meansengageable with said locating and fixing surfaces of any cartridge ofsaid first type so as to hold said cartridge of said first type in anoperative position on said appliance, second locating and fixing meansengageable with said locating and fixing surfaces of any cartridge ofsaid second type so as to hold said cartridge of said second type in anoperative position on said appliance, threading means operable tomechanically move said leading end of said information carrier from saidreel in a cartridge of either of said first and second types when saidcartridge is held in said operative position, first reel-driving meansadapted to cooperate with said flange and operable to drive said reel ina cartridge of said first type when said cartridge is in said operativeposition, and second reel-driving means comprising a mandrel adapted toextend through said aperture into engagement with said bore of a reel ofa cartridge of said second type when said cartridge is in said operativeposition, said second reel-driving means being operable to drive saidreel in said cartridge of said second type.
 2. An appliance as set forthin claim 1, which comprises means for recording information on saidinformation carrier.
 3. A appliance as set forth in claim 1, whichcomprises means for reproducing information recorded on said informationcarrier.
 4. An appliance as set forth in claim 1, which is a motionpicture projector for substandard film.
 5. An appliance as set forth inclaim 1, which comprises transducing means for processing information,and guide means for guiding said information carrier along apredetermined path to said transducing means, said threading means beingoperable to move said leading end of said information carrier fromcartridges of either of said first and second types to said guide means.6. An information-processing appliance for use with a striplikeinformation carrier wound on a reel which is contained in a cartridge ofeither of first and second types, each of said cartridges havinglocating and fixing surfaces specific to the type of cartridge, saidreel in the cartridges of said first type having a flange, whichappliance comprises a base structure including main drive means, anattachment detachably mounted on said base structure and comprisinglocating and fixing means adapted to cooperate with said locating andfixing surfaces of any cartridge of said first type to hold saidcartridge of said first type in an operative position on said appliance,threading means operable to mechanically move said leading end of saidinformation carrier on said reel in a cartridge of said first type whensaid cartridge is in said operative position, and reel-driving meansoperatively connected to said main drive means and adapted to cooperatewith said flange and operable to drive said reel in a cartridge of saidfirst type when said cartridge is in said operative position.
 7. Anappliance as set forth in claim 6, which comprises quick-acting meansconnecting said attachment to said base structure.
 8. An appliance asset forth in claim 6, in which said base comprises a base housing, saidattachment comprises an attachment housing, and connecting means areprovided which protrude from at least one of said base and attachmenthousings and connect said attachment to said base.
 9. An appliance asset forth in claim 8, in which said base housing comprises a box andsaid attachment housing comprises a cover interfitted with said box. 10.An appliance as set forth in claim 9, in which said main drive meanscomprise a part protruding from a part of said base housing, saidreel-driving means comprise a part protruding from a part of saidattachment housing, and said box and cover protrude over said protrudingparts of said main drive means and reel-driving means.
 11. An applianceas set forth in claim 8, in which said base housing is provided with abase housing aperture, said attachment housing is provided with anattachment housing aperture aligned with said base housing aperture,each of said base and attachment housing apertures is provided withcoupling guide means, and said connecting means comprise a coupling,which connects said main drive means to said reel-driving means and isguided by coupling guide means.
 12. An appliance as set forth in claim8, in which said connecting means are self-centering.
 13. An applianceas set forth in claim 6, which comprises means for centering said baseand attachment relative to each other.
 14. An appliance as set forth inclaim 6, in which said attachment comprises said reel-driving means. 15.An information-processing appliance for use with a striplike informationcarrier wound on a reel which is contained in a cartridge of either offirst and second types, each of said cartridges having locating andfixing surfaces specific to the type of cartridge, said reel in thecartridges of said second type having a central bore, said cartridges ofsaid second type having a wall formed with an aperture aligned with saidbore, said information carrier on said reel having a leading end, whichappliance comprises a base structure including a main drive means, anattachment detachably mounted on said base structure and comprisinglocating and fixing means adapted to cooperate with said locating andfixing surfaces of any cartridge of said second type to hold saidcartridge of said second type in an operative position on saidappliance, threading means operable to mechanically move said leadingend of said information carrier on said reel in a cartridge of saidsecond type when said cartridge is in said operative position, andreel-driving means operatively connected to said main drive means andcomprising a spindle adapted to extend through said aperture intoengagement with said bore of a reel of a cartridge of said second typewhen said cartridge is in said operative position, said secondreel-driving means being operable to drive said reel in said cartridgeof said second type.
 16. An appliance as set forth in claim 15, whichcomprises quick-acting connecting means connecting said attachment tosaid base structure.
 17. An appliance as set forth in claim 15, in whichsaid base comprises a base housing, said attachment comprises anattachment housing, and connecting means are provided which protrudefrom at least one of said base and attachment housings and connect saidattachment to said base.
 18. An appliance as set forth in claim 17, inwhich said base housing cOmprises a box and said attachment housingcomprises a cover interfitted with said box.
 19. An appliance as setforth in claim 18, in which said main drive means comprise a partprotruding from a part of said base housing, said reel-driving meanscomprise a part protruding from a part of said attachment housing, andsaid box and cover protrude over said protruding parts of said maindrive means and reel-driving means.
 20. An appliance as set forth inclaim 17, in which said base housing is provided with a base housingaperture, said attachment housing is provided with an attachment housingaperture aligned with said base housing aperture, each of said base andattachment housing apertures is provided with coupling guide means, andsaid connecting means comprise a coupling, which connects said maindrive means to said reel-driving means and is guided by said couplingguide means.
 21. An appliance as set forth in claim 17, in which saidconnecting means are self-centering.
 22. An appliance as set forth inclaim 15, which comprises means for centering said base and attachmentrelative to each other.
 23. An appliance as set forth in claim 15, inwhich said attachment comprises said reel-driving means.
 24. Anappliance as set forth in claim 1, in which said first and secondlocating and fixing means are disposed substantially in one and the samearea and each of said first and second reel-driving means are adapted tobe selectively disabled for the use of the appliance with cartridges ofsaid second and first types, respectively.
 25. An appliance as set forthin claim 24, for use with cartridges of said first and second types, thecartridges of each of said types including cartridges having differentcapacities, in which appliance said first and second fixing and locatingmeans are arranged so that the centers of said reels of cartridges ofdifferent capacities of each of said first and second types liesubstantially on one and the same line.
 26. An appliance as set forth inclaim 24, which comprises sensing means for detecting the type of acartridge held in said operative position on the appliance.
 27. Anappliance as set forth in claim 26, for use with cartridges having anexit opening for said information carrier, in which appliance saidthreading means are mounted on a slidable carriage and means areprovided which in response to the detection of a cartridge type by saidsensing means move said carriage to such a position that the threadingdevice will be directed to the exit opening of a cartridge of either ofsaid first and second types when said cartridge is held in saidoperative position.
 28. An appliance as set forth in claim 26, in whichsaid said sensing means comprise said mandrel.
 29. An appliance as setforth in claim 24, which comprises a lever carrying said threadingmeans, a shifting member carrying a pivot on which said lever ispivoted, said fixing and locating means being adapted to hold acartridge of either of said first and second types in said operativeposition so that said reel is centered on an axis which is parallel tothe axis of said pivot, said shifting member being movable between firstand second positions, which are respectively optimized for cartridges ofsaid first and second types.
 30. An appliance as set forth in claim 29,in which said lever means comprise pivotally connected first and secondarms, said first arm carries said threading device, said arms carryfirst stop means limiting the relative pivotal movement of said firstand second arms, spring means are connected to said first arm and tendto move said first arm to an inoperative position, shifting means areconnected to said first arm and operable to move said first arm againstthe action of said spring means, and stationary second stop means areprovided which are engageable by said second arm in response to anoperation of said shIfting means.
 31. An appliance as set forth in claim30, which comprises stop control means for moving said second stop meansout of the path of said second arm.
 32. An appliance as set forth inclaim 31, in which said stop control means comprise a cartridge selectorswitch.
 33. An appliance as set forth in claim 32, in which saidthreading means comprises a threading drive including an idler wheel,said shifting means comprise a shifting lever and a frictional clutchwhich bears on said shifting lever and is arranged to impart a pivotalmovement to said lever so as to move said first arm against the force ofsaid spring means in response to an operation of said idler wheel. 34.An appliance as set forth in claim 33, in which said shifting lever iscoaxial with said idler wheel.
 35. An appliance as set forth in claim33, which comprises disengageable means for driving said idler wheel.36. An appliance as set forth in claim 35, which comprises a pawltending to lock said disengageable means in an engaged position andmeans for rendering said pawl inoperative in a predetermined conditionof said appliance.
 37. An appliance as set forth in claim 36, whichcomprises sensing means engageable by said information carrier andarranged to render said pawl inoperative in response to the engagementof said sensing means with said information carrier.
 38. An appliance asset forth in claim 37, which comprises a take-up reel for saidinformation carrier, said take-up reel having a hub, a guiding arm whichis movable between an inoperative position and an operative position andin the latter position is adapted to guide said leading end of saidinformation carrier to said hub and to move to said inoperative positionin response to tension imparted to said information carrier as thelatter is wound up on said take-up reel, said guiding arm being arrangedto render said pawl inoperative when said guiding arm is in saidinoperative position.
 39. An appliance as set forth in claim 24, whichcomprises a lever carrying said threading means, first and secondpivots, said lever being adapted to be pivoted on each of said first andsecond pivots, said fixing and locating means being adapted to hold acartridge of either of said first and second types in said operativeposition so that said reel is centered on an axis which is parallel tothe axes of said first and second pivots, and selecting means areprovided for selectively pivoting said lever on either of said first andsecond pivots.
 40. An appliance as set forth in claim 39, in which saidselecting means comprise a cartridge selector switch.
 41. An applianceas set forth in claim 39, which comprises shifting means for shiftingsaid lever and a pawl for locking said shifting means in an operativeposition.
 42. An appliance as set forth in claim 41, which comprisessensing means engageable by said information carrier and arranged torender said pawl inoperative in response to the engagement of saidsensing means with said information carrier.
 43. An appliance as setforth in claim 42, which comprises a take-up reel for said informationcarrier, said take-up reel having a hub, a guiding arm which is movablebetween an inoperative position and in the latter position is adapted toguide said leading end of said information carrier to said hub and tomove to said inoperative position in response to tension imparted tosaid information carrier as the latter is wound up on said take-up reel,said guiding arm being arranged to render said pawl inoperative whensaid guiding arm is in said inoperative position.
 44. An appliance asset forth in claim 39, in which said selector means comprise sensingmeans for detecting the type of the cartridge held in said operativeposition on the appliance.
 45. An appliance as set forth in claim 24, inwhich each of said first and second reel-driving means are movablebetween an inoperativE position and at least one operative position. 46.An appliance as set forth in claim 45, in which said first reel-drivingmeans comprise a friction wheel which is engageable with said flange insaid operative position and the axis of said friction wheel has the sameorientation in said operative and inoperative positions of said firstreel-driving means, and said mandrel is adapted to engage said bore insaid operative position and the axis of said mandrel has the sameorientation in said operative and inoperative positions of said secondreel-driving means.
 47. An appliance as set forth in claim 46, whichcomprises means for moving said friction wheel to an inoperativeposition in response to a movement of said mandrel to its operativeposition and for moving said friction wheel to its operative position inresponse to a movement of said mandrel to said inoperative position. 48.An appliance as set forth in claim 45, in which said mandrel isretractable from said operative position out of said bore and apertureto said inoperative position.
 49. An appliance as set forth in claim 48,which comprises a spring which urges said spindle to said operativeposition.
 50. An appliance as set forth in claim 48, which comprisesmeans for de-energizing said second reel-driving means in response tothe movement of said mandrel to said inoperative position.
 51. Anappliance as set forth in claim 24, in which said appliance is arrangedto have cartridges of said first type applied thereto in a firstdirection and to have cartridges of said second type applied thereto ina second direction, which differs from said first direction, and saidfirst locating and fixing means are rigid in said first direction andmovable in said second direction.
 52. An appliance as set forth in claim51, which comprises spring means urging said first fixing and locatingmeans to an operative position.
 53. An appliance as set forth in claim51, in which said fixing and locating means are pivotally mounted, andsaid first fixing and locating means are pivoted on an axis which isnormal to said second direction.
 54. An appliance as set forth in claim1, in which said fixing and locating means are mounted on a carriagewhich is movable along a predetermined path and said first and secondreel-driving means are disposed adjacent to and spaced along said path.55. An appliance as set forth in claim 54, which comprises sensing meansfor detecting the type of the cartridge mounted on said cartridge andfor locking said cartridge in position adjacent to said firstreel-driving means when the fixing and locating surfaces of a cartridgeof said first type are engaged with said first fixing and locating meansand for locking said carriage adjacent to said second reel-driving meanswhen said fixing and locating surfaces of a cartridge of said secondtype are engaged with said second fixing and locating means.
 56. Anappliance as set forth in claim 54, in which said carriage is movable toan inoperative position in which it is adapted to have a cartridgeapplied to said fixing and locating means.
 57. An appliance as set forthin claim 54, which comprises means for initiating the operation of saidfirst reel-driving means in response to a movement of said carriagewhereby a cartridge of said first type having its fixing and locatingsurfaces engaged with said first fixing and locating means is moved toan operative position adjacent to said first reel-driving means andmeans for initiating the operation of said second reel-driving means inresponse to a movement of said carriage whereby a cartridge of saidsecond type having its fixing and locating surfaces engaged with saidsecond fixing and locating means is moved to an operative positionadjacent to said second reel-driving means.
 58. An appliance as setforth in claim 54, for use with cartridges having exit openings, inwhich appliance said first fixing and locating means are disposed onsaid carriage in a first area, said second fixing and locating means aredisposed on said carriage in a second area, which is spaced from saidfirst area, said threading means comprise a threading device which isadapted to cooperate with cartridges of said first and second types, andsaid carriage is movable to a first position in which said exit openingof a cartridge of said first type held in said operative position facessaid threading device, and to a second position in which said exitopening of a cartridge of said second type held in said operativeposition faces said threading device.
 59. An appliance as set forth inclaim 58, which comprises sensing means for detecting the presence of acartridge in one of said areas and for moving said carriage to saidfirst position in response to the detection of a cartridge in said firstarea and to said second position in response to the detection of acartridge in said second area.
 60. An appliance as set forth in claim 1,in which said first fixing and locating means and said firstreel-driving means are disposed in a first area and said second fixingand locating means and said second reel-driving means are disposed in asecond area, which is spaced from said first area.
 61. An appliance asset forth in claim 60, for use with cartridges having narrow end faces,in which appliance said first and second areas are disposed one behindthe other and each of said fixing and locating means are adapted to holdthe respective cartridge in said operative position in one of said areasso that an end face of said cartridge faces toward the other of saidareas.
 62. An appliance as set forth in claim 60, for use withcartridges having broadsides, in which appliance said first and secondareas are disposed one beside the other and each of said fixing andlocating means are adapted to hold the respective cartridge in saidoperative position in one of said areas so that a broadside of saidcartridge faces toward the other of said areas.
 63. An appliance as setforth in claim 62, in which said threading means comprise a threadingdevice which is adapted to cooperate with cartridges of said first andsecond types and selectively movable to said first and second areas. 64.An appliance as set forth in claim 63, which comprises cam means forguiding said threading device to said first and second areas.
 65. Anappliance as set forth in claim 64, in which said cam means comprise camslot means.
 66. An appliance as set forth in claim 65, in which said camslot means comprise a common cam slot portion, a first cam slot portionleading from said common cam slot portion to said first area, a secondcam slot portion leading from said cam slot portion to said second area,said common, first and second cam slot portions defining a junction, andin which a movable deflector is mounted adjacent to said junction andadapted to guide said threading device selectively from said common camslot portion to said first and second cam slot portions.
 67. Anappliance as set forth in claim 64, which comprises sensing means fordetecting the presence of a cartridge in one of said areas and foroperating said cam means to guide said threading device to the area inwhich said cartridge is held.
 68. An appliance as set forth in claim 63,for use with cartridges having exit openings, in which appliance saidfirst fixing and locating means are adapted to hold a cartridge of saidfirst type in an operative position so that said cartridge extends alonga first predetermined plane to said exit opening, said second fixing andlocating means are adapted to hold a cartridge of said second type in anoperative position so that said cartridge extends along a secondpredetermined plane to said exit opening, said first and secondpredetermined planes converge towards said exit openings, and saidthreading device is pivotally movable between first and secondpositions, in which it is aligned with said first and second planes,respectively.
 69. An appliance as set forth in claim 68, in which saidfirst and second planes intersect and said threading device is movableto an inoperative position, in which it is disposed at the intersectionof said planes.
 70. An appliance as set forth in claim 63, whichcomprises means tending to move said threading device to a positionadjacent to one of said first and second areas and program-controlledmeans for moving said threading device to a position adjacent to theother of said first and second areas.
 71. An appliance as set forth inclaim 70, which comprises sensing means for detecting a cartridge heldin an operative position in said other area, said program-controlledmeans being arranged to move said threading device to a positionadjacent to said other area in response to the detection by said sensingmeans of a cartridge held in an operative position in said other area.72. An appliance as set forth in claim 58, in which said threading meanscomprise a first threading device associated with said first area and asecond threading device associated with said second area.
 73. Anappliance as set forth in claim 72, in which said first and secondthreading means are coaxial and common actuating means are provided,which are operable to move one of said first and second threading meansinto a cartridge of said first or second type, respectively, which isheld in said operative position on said appliance.
 74. An appliance asset forth in claim 58, which comprises first and second mode controlswitches associated with said first and second areas, respectively. 75.An appliance as set forth in claim 74, in which said mode controlswitches are normally disabled and which comprises sensing means fordetecting a cartridge held in an operative position in said first andsecond areas and for enabling one of said mode control switches inresponse to the detection of a cartridge held in an operative positionin the area associated with said mode control switch.
 76. An applianceas set forth in claim 74, in which one of said mode control switches isnormally enabled and the other of said mode control switches is normallydisabled, and sensing means are provided to detect a cartridge held inan operative position in the area associated with said normally disabledmode control switch and arranged to disable said normally enabled modecontrol switch and to enable said normally disabled mode control switchin response to such detection.
 77. An appliance as set forth in claim58, which comprises a mode control switch associated with said first andsecond areas.
 78. An appliance as set forth in claim 77, in which saidmode control switch is selectively movable to a first set of positionsassociated with said first area and to a second set of positionsassociated with said second area and said first and second sets ofpositions are disposed on opposite sides.
 79. An appliance as set forthin claim 77, in which said mode control switch comprises an actuatingmember which is rotatable and axially movable.
 80. An appliance as setforth in claim 77, in which said mode control switch is movable to afirst set of positions associated with said first area and a second setof positions associated with said second area and sensing means areprovided to detect a cartridge held in an operative position in one ofsaid first and second areas and to block a movement of said mode controlswitch to positions other than those associated with an area in which acartridge is thus detected.
 81. An appliance as set forth in claim 58,which comprises a base structure comprising a main drive means, adetachable carrier carrying said first and second fixing and locatingmeans and said first and second reel-driving means, a first couplingadapted to connect said main drive means to said first reel-drivingmeans, and A second coupling, which is different from said firstcoupling and adapted to connect said main drive means to said secondreel-driving means, each of said first and second coupling comprising afirst element which is comprised in said base structure and a secondelement which is carried by said carrier and engageable with said firstelement of the same coupling.
 82. An appliance as set forth in claim 1,in which said threading means are movable into a cartridge held in saidoperative position and to define gaps with a cartridge into which theyhave thus been moved, and guiding means for the information carrier areprovided, which are adapted at least partly to close said gaps.
 83. Anappliance as set forth in claim 82, in which said guiding means arehinged to said threading means and spring means are provided which urgesaid guiding means away from said threading means.
 84. An appliance asset forth in claim 83, in which said threading means comprisereel-contacting means adapted to contact said information carrier onsaid reel and said guiding means are hinged to said reel-contactingmeans.
 85. An appliance as set forth in claim 83, for use withcartridges having a wall defining an exit opening, in which appliancesaid threading means comprise a friction drive for engaging saidinformation carrier on said reel and a stripper for stripping saidleading end from said reel, said stripper having a free end portionadapted to engage said information carrier on said reel, said guidingmeans comprise an element which is hinged to said free end portion andsaid spring means urge said element against said wall.
 86. An applianceas set forth in claim 1, which comprises a cartridge selector switchmovable between a first position, in which said switch disables said oneof said reel-driving means, and s second position, in which said switchenables said one reel-driving means.
 87. An appliance as set forth inclaim 86, in which said first reel-driving means comprise a frictionwheel, which is movable between an inoperative position, in which it isdisengaged from said flange of a cartridge of said first type held insaid operative position, and an operative position, in which it isengaged with said flange and operable to drive said reel, and lockingmeans are provided, which are adapted to lock said friction wheel insaid inoperative position when said cartridge selector switch is in saidfirst position and to release said friction wheel for movement to saidoperative position when said cartridge selector switch is in said secondposition.
 88. An appliance as set forth in claim 87, in which saidfriction wheel is mounted on a support member operable to move saidfriction wheel between said inoperative and operative positions, saidsupport member is biased by spring means urging said friction wheel tosaid operative position, a mode control switch is provided, which ismovable to a plurality of positions and by a movement to at least one ofsaid positions is adapted to operate said support member against theaction of said spring means to move said friction wheel to itsinoperative position, said cartridge selector switch comprises a lever,which is connected to said support member, and cam means which cooperatewith said lever and permit of a movement of said lever and said supportmember when said cartridge selector switch is in one of its first andsecond positions and which hold said lever and support member inposition when said cartridge selector switch is in the other of itsfirst and second positions.
 89. An appliance as set forth in claim 86,which comprises a first carrier carrying said first fixing and locatingmeans and movable between an inoperative position, and an operativeposition, in which a cartridge of said first type having fixing andlocating surfaces engaged with said first fixing and locating means isin an operative position, a second carrier carRying said second fixingand locating means and movable between an inoperative position and anoperative position, in which a cartridge of said second type havingfixing and locating surfaces engaged with said second fixing andlocating means is in an operative position, and means operativelyconnecting said cartridge selector switch to said first and secondcarriers and arranged to move said first carrier to said operativeposition and said second carrier to said inoperative position inresponse to a movement of said cartridge selector switch to one of itsfirst and second positions, and to move said first carrier to saidinoperative position and said second carrier to said operative positionin response to a movement of said cartridge selector switch to the otherof its first and second positions.
 90. An appliance as set forth inclaim 1, which comprises a main drive means, a first carrier carryingsaid first fixing and locating means and said first reel-driving means,a second carrier carrying said second fixing and locating means and saidsecond reel-driving means, a first coupling adapted to connect said maindrive means to said first reel-driving means, and a second coupling,which is different from said first coupling and adapted to connect saidmain drive means to said second reel-driving means.
 91. An appliance asset forth in claim 90, which comprises sensing means for detecting acartridge of either of said first and second types held in saidoperative position and for engaging said first coupling in response to adetection of a cartridge of said first type and for engaging said secondcoupling in response to a detection of a cartridge of said second type.